COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers at a university hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study of HCWs confirmed to have COVID-19 infection from March 1st, 2020 to December 31st, 2022. RESULTS: A total of 746 HCWs were diagnosed with COVID-19. Patients' age ranged from 22-60 years with a mean ± standard deviation of 37.4 ± 8.7 years. The infection was community-acquired in 584 (78.3%) HCWs. The vast majority (82.6%) of the infected HCWs had no comorbidities. Nurses (400/746 or 53.6 %) represented the largest professional group, followed by physicians (128/746 or 17.2%), administrative staff (125/746 or 16.8%), respiratory therapists (54/746 or 7.2%), and physiotherapists (39/746 or 5.2%). Symptoms included fever (64.1%), cough (55.6%), sore throat (44.6%), headache (22.9%), runny nose (19.6%), shortness of breath (19.0%), fatigue (12.7%), body aches (11.4%), diarrhea (10.9%), vomiting (4.4%), and abdominal pain (2.8%). Most (647 or 86.7%) patients were managed as outpatients. Four (0.5%) HCWs died. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs face a dual risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, both from community exposure and within the hospital setting. Comprehensive infection control strategies are needed to protect HCWs both inside and outside the hospital environment.